Calls for better checks on live animal export trade after sheep die of heat in the Middle East

Updated
Fri 17 Jan 2014, 1:01 PM AEDT

Photo

Sheep are herded into a cargo ship.

AFP: Miguel Rojo, file photo

The Federal Member for Perth, Alannah MacTiernan, has called for greater checks on the live animal export trade.

She said recent revelations that 4,000 WA sheep died from heat stress during export from Western Australia to the Middle East six months ago is proof that self-regulation of the industry is not working.

The sheep were among 75,000 shipped to the middle east by Livestock Shipping Services.

Ms MacTiernan said the Department of Agriculture needs greater powers to protect the live sheep trade.

"We need an independent animal welfare watchdog," she said.

"We need a more structured regime of penalties to encourage the department to take action and we need to make sure that the veterinarians that are onboard these vessels are in fact independent, employed by and reporting directly to government."

Ms MacTiernan has suggested an independent watchdog is needed to monitor the live animal export industry.

She said ships carrying live animals should have independent veterinarians on them who report directly to the Federal Government.

"Now a lot of work has been done to develop an animal welfare regime," she said.

"The real problem is there is absolutely no independent inspection or monitoring of performance and there is certainly no penalties being imposed for breaches."